According to the office, Owens was walking his dogs with his wife along the beach when a wave took the pets into the water. After saving the dogs, another wave swept him away, and he then struck the rocks, the office said. Paramedics tried to revive him, according to the medical examiner.

Surfer Nick Wilkinson was at nearby Dog Beach when the incident happened and told ABC10, "It's incredible the power of, basically, the outgoing tide. You could almost stand in it, ankle deep, and get sucked out."

The TV station reported Owens was dragged about 75 yards from the beach. The dogs are believed to be OK, the station said.